Children services director jobs

We’re looking for someone to coordinate our complex casework, supporting the individuals involved, seeking out, organising and creating relevant documentation, and liaising with other people and organisations involved in the case.

Your work will be primarily based within our Advocacy Service, where you’ll work with people who have been discriminated against because they stammer. The individuals seeking support from this service are often distressed by what has happened to them and need emotional support. Alongside that emotional support, to work out how best to help them and to effectively challenge what has happened, you will need to get detailed descriptions of what has happened, evidence and documentation, follow up with the person and relevant organisations regularly, and liaise with our team of legal advisors. You will also need to lead or attend occasional meetings with representatives from other organisations.

BACKGROUND

STAMMA is a forward thinking, innovative and mission-led charity punching above its weight, with a forensic focus on realigning attitudes and understanding of stammering, so that a stammer is accepted simply as a difference. We’ve a new strategic plan, supported by the National Lottery, so now couldn’t be a better time to join.

The aim of the caseworker role work is to support individuals in effectively challenging instances of discrimination. Further, the Advocacy Service seeks to use these instances as a route to working with systems and organisations to create ways of working that are more inclusive for employees, service users and customers who stammer.

The Advocacy Service is coordinated by Kirsten Howells, STAMMA’s Director of Services, and supported by a small team of dedicated volunteers.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Working knowledge of the Equality Act (2010) in relation to disability and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995, NI).
• Good understanding of stammering and the barriers people who stammer face in society.
• Good comprehension skills in written English, and ability to read long complex documentation.
• Ability to represent complex information in a simpler way.
• Attention to detail.
• Tenacity and ability to follow-up with individuals regularly.
• Experience of providing emotional support to individuals.
• Sufficiently comfortable to work via email, online meetings and to use the phone (so that you can use the communication route which is most comfortable or appropriate for service users).

Desirable

• It would be brilliant if you stammer, but not essential.
• It would be useful if you are a speech and language therapist with experience working with children and adults who stammer, but not essential.
• Demonstrable history working in a similar role within the charity/NGO sector.

Soft skills

• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong listening skills.
• Ability to say ‘no’ whilst still offering emotional support.
• Able to manage and prioritise workload within deadlines.
• Capable of working as part of team and on own initiative.
• Flexible ‘can do’ approach and will flourish in a small office environment.

DUTIES

Case management

• Be the initial point of contact for new cases coming into the Advocacy Service.
• Gather detailed case information and documentation
• Support and develop the volunteer team in becoming key points of contact for individuals in straightforward cases.
• Be the primary point of contact for individuals in complex cases.
• Review complex documentation and prepare case summaries for our legal team.
• Liaise with our team of legal advisors to seek guidance in relevant cases.
• Attend case-related online meetings with service users.
•  Advocate for service users in meetings with employers or other organisations.
• Present pros and cons of different actions and support service users to make informed choices about what actions they want to take in their case.
• Take on complex cases in STAMMA’s Employment and Helpline Services when required.

Reporting & tracking

• Work with Director of Services to create tracking and reporting systems for cases.
• Gather feedback from service users.
• Monitor and analyse service performance, to support a culture of improvement. 
• Develop 4 ‘impact stories’ highlighting the difference the Advocacy Service has made to service users and organisations. 

Ongoing

• Work with Communication & Content Lead to promote the Advocacy Service to STAMMA’s membership.

BENEFITS

STAMMA offers a flexible working environment, with an office near Covent Garden, or you may work from home, and time off in lieu is available for those working extra hours.  The charity matches up to 8% towards a Pension Scheme.  All staff are required to attend six-weekly team meetings at the London office.

Holiday entitlement
Attractive holiday package totalling 28 days pa, including Christmas closure, plus Bank Holidays.  Pro rata for part time staff. We close from Christmas to the New Year for all staff.

Flexible working
We have an office in London which you can work from full or part time.  Otherwise, staff meet virtually at noon on Thursdays, and physically every 6-8 weeks or so in London.  Occasionally, you may be asked to work weekends and evenings to attend online or in person events but will be offered time off in lieu.

Pension
Nest pension scheme.  STAMMA will pay a minimum contribution of 5% and will match contributions up to 8%.  Employees must pay a minimum of 5%. 

Staff
A small friendly staff team.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

If you think you fit the bill and can tick most of the boxes needed under the Job Spec, then do apply. 

Finally, you must be based in the UK, candidates working from overseas will not be considered.

Deadline 11.30pm on 13th July.

If you want to chat through the post first, email Kirsten Howells.

One to one Zoom interviews will be held in the first instance with the Director of Services. Candidates will then be shortlisted for a panel interview via Zoom. 

1st interview Monday 21st  July on Zoom

2nd panel interview Friday 25th July on Zoom

If you reach the 2nd round you will get the chance to meet the staff team and get a feel for the people you’ll be working with. 

If there’s anything about the interview process that worries you or will make it hard for you to demonstrate your skills and competence, let us know. We’re happy to discuss adjustments to our standard processes so that we can find the best candidate for the job.

As Director of Finance you will lead on all financial aspects of the transtion as the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism merge to form a single unified organsation, Progressive Judaism.  This post will provide crucuial oversight during this period of change, laying foundations for strong financial governance and operational excellence in the new entity.

Working closely with CEOs, senior staff and trustees across both organisations, you will oversee the creation and implementation of robust financial systems, controls and reporting lines whilst ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.  Managing and supporting a finance team, you will ensure continuity of outsourced finance services to existing partner organisaitons during the transition as well as ensure continuity of high-quality financial services across both MRJ and LJ.

As a qualified accountant you will have strong exerpeince in charity finance, including SORP and audit preparation.  A proactive, solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to manage competing priorities is essential.  With proven experience in mangaging organisational change or mergers, you will be an excellent people leader with oustanding communicaiton skills.

So why join us?  You will be part of a progressive, values-driven movement at a historic moment of transformation!  You will work with passionate colleagues and board members, helping to build infrastructure that supports vibrant, inclusive Jewish communities across the UK.

About UP

Unlocking Potential deliver high performing therapeutic programmes and education provision for children and young people with SEMH needs. We work in collaboration with families, communities, and other partners to ensure that children and young people access the interventions they need to thrive.

Mission

We work collaboratively with communities to enable children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs to unlock their full potential

Values

Trust

We build trust by being honest, transparent, and accountable in the way we work with children and young people, staff, and partners and by providing services and programmes whose outcomes are measurable and evidenced based.

Collaborative

Relationships are at the heart of our work. We prioritise communication and collaboration with partners, families, and communities, believing that by working together we create more effective and holistic outcomes for children and young people.

Empowering

We co-create opportunities for our children, young people, parents/carers and staff to actively participate in decision-making that influences change. We promote the voices of children and young people in our organisation and the wider community.

Nurturing

We provide a nurturing approach based on safety and space for creativity, exploration, and growth. We support and care for our children, young people, and staff to realise their potential.

Impact

We are committed to measuring our impact through a data driven method to develop our programmes and make a greater difference to the lives of children, young people, and their parents and carers.

Overview

We will be launching our new programme from September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this.

As a Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible, hands-on, and therapeutically minded support to families facing multiple and complex challenges. You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and practical support—empowering parents and carers to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your role will be guided by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family.

We are looking for a team member who is passionate about applying therapeutic approaches in non-clinical group settings, can inspire and support young people to take the lead in devising their own work, and committed to delivering wellbeing through creativity. You’ll bring a therapeutic lens to help shape a pioneering new school engagement project, developed in partnership with local primary and secondary schools and youth clubs. As part of the DreamArts family, you’ll benefit from ongoing professional development that explores the fusion of arts and therapy.

Project Overview

The Inspiration Academy will support Years 6-8 to engage with education, strengthen attainment and wellbeing, develop leadership skills, and build a sense of belonging. It is part of a new Belonging Partnership which represents a unique opportunity over 3 years to make a difference to young people during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. The partnership will enable us to track progress and share practice, with multiple perspectives available to assess how young people have benefited, including teachers and parents/carers. We know how rare such opportunities are and we are therefore hugely excited about it.

DreamArts’ contribution to the partnership is the Inspiration Academy, designed to reach 150 pupils in 5 primary schools annually. Of these, 30 young people identified as at-risk of disengagement receive tailored group-based support as they transition to Pimlico Academy.  

Year 6 students from partner primaries will choose and explore a meaningful issue and lead a creative campaign for their school community. Those at risk of disengagement will work alongside peers, taking on positive roles that reshape their self-perception.

A week-long summer intensive will equip at-risk students with a ‘toolkit’ to navigate the academic, social, and emotional challenges of secondary school. Once at Pimlico Academy, they’ll train as Inspiration Ambassadors, delivering workshops to future cohorts.

Additionally, Family Express will provide parents/carers with a creative space to explore challenges alongside their children and other families, strengthening relationships and resilience. Through these opportunities, young people will be supported to build a sense of belonging within their schools and within their wider community.

Responsibilities

The Project Therapist will work alongside the Project Lead and provide a group-based creative therapeutic approach to the planning and co-delivery of the Inspiration Academy. You will help identify mental health and educational needs and co-develop strategies for reducing barriers to participation so that young people can:

· Explore who they are

· Build positive relationships with peers and adults

· Improve their sense of belonging within their school community

In last year’s staff satisfaction survey 100% of team members felt inspired at DreamArts to do their best at their job, and 100% said that their voice and skills matter at DreamArts.

‘DreamArts has a profound impact on the lives of young people and is a model of exemplary practice.’ - The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, Impact Study

DreamArts has a mission; to transform young lives by fusing arts and therapy.

For over two decades, DreamArts has worked directly in the community, making a difference to the lives of over 500 young people each year in some of London’s most deprived areas—empowering them to explore who they are, build positive relationships and develop emotional wellbeing. 

Our award-winning projects put young people in control: from devising new mini-musicals and immersive theatre, to young carers curating photography exhibitions and young refugees touring their original beatbox plays across the UK. Alongside this, our free therapeutic services offer vital support as mental health crises among young people continues to grow.

DreamArts is committed to providing an integrative and inclusive programme and not to discriminate on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, nationality, or culture. We are also committed to being a diverse and culturally representational organisation, therefore any applicant that identifies from a minoritised background and meets the essential criteria will be automatically selected for an interview.

Organisation: NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation

Position: Deputy Charity Chief Officer/Children and

Young Person Lead

Salary: £74,003-£79,164 (Grade 8b)

Contract: Full-time and Permanent

Location: Dundee/Hybrid

NHS Tayside (NHST) is an NHS board which forms one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland. It provides healthcare services in Angus, the City of Dundee and Perth and Kinross. NHST is headquartered at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation is a Registered Scottish Charity which supports NHS Tayside hospitals and services. It holds endowment property and funds for purposes relating to health services and research.  The Foundation is also funded by donations, fundraising campaigns and legacies received from patients, their relatives, the general public and other organisations.  The overall strategy of the Foundation is to provide support to Tayside NHS Board in whatever way the Trustees consider appropriate, subject to any specified directions under their Charter, to make a big difference to patients and their families across Tayside.

Charity Chief Officer, Shelley McCarthy, was appointed 2 years ago. She is delivering the objectives and goals set out in the 2023-2026 strategy which sets out the Trustees’ ambitions to develop a new function and, potentially a new charity, focussed on its ambitions to provide greater support for children and young people. To this end, a new role has been created for a Children and Young Person’s Lead who will oversee this area and also act as Deputy Chief Officer with additional responsibility across the Foundation.

This post will develop the strategy around the children and young persons’ service in close consultation with the Chief Officer and Trustees. You will also line manage all 3 Managers and, indirectly manage 4 other members of staff who sit within their teams. This will allow the Chief Officer to hold a more strategic and externally focussed role.

To be a candidate of interest for this role you must have senior and strategic leadership and management experience, deep knowledge of growing fundraising/income generation through a diverse range of income channels and outstanding stakeholder relationship management skills at all levels, internally and externally.

Good health is one of the most basic human rights and, by supplementing the core services that NHST provides, the Foundation can make a real and tangible difference to people’s lives. This role will be as rewarding as it is challenging as you will be instrumental in supporting the Charity Chief Officer to shape this critical charity for the future.

If you would like more information about this incredible opportunity or know anyone who might be interested, then please contact us today for the full candidate pack.

How To Apply

Please email us or call us to request an information pack, full job description and person specification. Application is by CV and covering letter.

You are advised to get in touch well in advance of the closing date to give us time to consider your application and pre-interview the strongest applicants.

Closing Date: Midday, Friday 11th July 2025

Interview Date: Thursday 24th July 2025 at Dudhope Castle, Dundee.

This search is being conducted exclusively for NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and academia and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.

The Childhood Trust is London's child poverty charity. We are dedicated to creating opportunities and brighter futures for the 700,000 children growing up in poverty in London. While we work to alleviate today’s impact of poverty, we support children and families to build pathways to become happier, healthier, safer and more resilient, breaking the cycles of inequity. Listening to and engaging with young people who have experience of living in poverty, is critical to ensuring our efforts truly reflect their needs and aspirations. 

As a grant-making charity, we award funding to charities actively supporting children in poverty across the capital. This funding is made possible thanks to the partnerships we build with corporate organisations, other trusts and foundations, philanthropic individuals and families, and public donations. 

As Head of Corporate Partnerships, you will be responsible for delivering and growing voluntary income from The Childhood Trust’s Corporate and Commercial partnerships. Directly managing our two Corporate Partnerships Managers, you will develop strategic partnerships, secure funding, and cultivate relationships that fuel our mission.

We are looking for someone with the skills and experience to develop and execute a comprehensive Corporate Partnerships fundraising strategy aimed at driving significant growth in both new and existing partnerships. As well as lead the team in creating and implementing new stewardship initiatives and robust development plans that maximise partnership value and company engagement, aligning with both partner and organisational strategic objectives.

Our organisation takes pride in offering key benefits such as flexible working arrangements, 25 days annual leave per year and enhanced maternity provisions. We are also deeply committed to the development and growth of our staff, providing opportunities to enhance skills and achieve career goals. Plus, you’ll be joining a dedicated and passionate team that truly makes a difference.

We will be holding interviews week commencing 4th August 2025.

Regional Youth and Community Director
OASIS UK – Youth and Community (OCP)

Permanent, full-time post, 40 hours per week, inclusive of breaks 

Salary: £51,959 per annum (£54,669 p.a. London Weighting for London based staff)

At an exciting and key stage in our journey we have the opportunity for Youth and Community Directors to join our team supporting Oasis’ youth and community work in neighbourhoods in the following regions;

- London and South East (North, Central and South London and Kent - five local Oasis charities)

- North West (Greater Manchester – two local charities, and two regionwide youth violence contracts)

- North East (NE Lincs, Humber, Bradford and Sheffield – four local charities)

With accountability to the Oasis CEO for Youth and Community the role of the regional Youth and Community Director will have three main functions:

1 Strategic management oversight of local Youth and Community teams

2 Regional development, working alongside other functions within the Oasis family

3 Being part of the national Youth and Community leadership team

The Youth and Community Director will have strategic management oversight of local Youth and Community teams in the region, providing accountability and support to the local leaders and charity boards. This responsibility area falls into two categories; those the Director is directly responsible for, and those they are responsible for ensuring are carried out by those within their region.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Oasis neighbourhoods are local places of activity that provide integrated, high quality and diverse services to benefit the whole person and the whole community. The Oasis ethos stems from our Christian roots and is an expression of our character - it is a declaration of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. This is encapsulated by the following five statements:

a passion to include everyone

a desire to treat everyone equally, respecting differences

a commitment to healthy and open relationships

a deep sense of hope that things can change and be transformed

a sense of perseverance to keep going for the long haul

An Oasis neighbourhood is a community movement and the joining together of all the work Oasis does in any one place, which could include foodbanks, debt advice centres, family support and advice services, healthcare, youth work, children’s work, alongside other Oasis activities in that community, including formal education through Oasis Academies.

The Youth and Community function of Oasis is responsible for the wider community work that takes place within Oasis neighbourhoods, working closely with the other functions of Oasis to outwork our vision. In relation to governance, Oasis Community Partnerships is the national charity, with each local team operating from their own local Oasis charity.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing national organisation, making a difference to communities on a local level, whilst also influencing the national landscape.  As part of the package, Oasis offers:

• A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution
• A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays)

Please contact us to arrange for an informal conversation with our CEO to find out more about the role. If you are interested in this position, please send your CV and a covering letter (ensuring you refer to the job description and person spec).

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers to application, please let us know.

Completed applications should be returned by 9AM on Monday 21st July.

Interviews will take place week beginning 28th July. (Shorter more informal calls may be arranged the previous week to assist with shortlisting)

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 08749179

SANE is a UK-wide mental health charity working to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of all mental health conditions; fight to improve frontline mental health services for individuals and carers; provide support, information and guidance through SANEline, our Call Back service, email and text support. SANE also promotes and host research into causes, treatments and therapies through its Prince of Wales International Centre for SANE research.

About the role:

We are looking for a compassionate and committed Youth Support and Project Officer to join our SANEline Services team with a dedicated focus on supporting young people affected by mental health.
 

In this role you will;

- Deliver emotional support and to both adults and young people

- Shape and lead on a youth helpline and/or written service

- Liaise with external agencies and services

- Help build and shape youth focused services at SANE

You will bring;

- Experience of supporting young people with mental health needs ideally in complex situations

- Strong safeguarding knowledge

- A trauma informed, empathetic and resilient approach to support

- The ability to build trust and rapport with young people and families

Salary: £30,000-32,000 per annum, depending on experience

What can you expect?

- To work within SANE’s framework, including regular check-ins, debriefs. To receive training specific to your role and the wider SANEline services.

- To become part of an established and diverse team.

- To gain exposure to a wide range of mental health problems.

- To gain valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to both adults and young people.

- A culture where team members support and learn from each other.

- A warm supportive and encouraging environment.

Please note: This role may close early if a suitable candidate is found, please do not delay in submitting your application as interviews are taking place on an ongoing basis
 

Closing date: Midday 23rd July 2025 – early applications encouraged
 

To apply: Please complete your application before the closing date, addressing all areas on the job description and person specification (downloadable below) and tell us why you want to work for SANE. Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Contracted Weekly Hours: 37.5. Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Contract Type: Fixed term – 12 months

Annual leave: 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays per annum

Salary: £45,000

Location: ICN office in Bournemouth

International Care Network is a Christian charity whose aim is to help to rebuild the lives of asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. We are looking for a Director of Operations to oversee and optimise the day to day administrative and operational functions of the organisation to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the charitable programmes and services. The Director of Operations will work closely with the senior leadership team (CEO and department managers) to develop and implement strategic plans, promote diversity and inclusion and drive organisational growth and impact

ICN provides benefits to staff including:

• Company pension scheme.
• A degree of flexibility with contracted hours.
• Staff welfare opportunities including socials.
• Training opportunities relevant to role.

ICN will seek to ensure that all existing and potential employees are given equal opportunities. We are committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in our employment policies and practices. Our aim is to promote diversity so that no employee or potential employee will be subject to unlawful or unfair discrimination because of gender, age, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality or other ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity or membership or non-membership of a trade union or political beliefs. We will seek to ensure that no applicant for employment is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.

ICN take the safeguarding of service users, staff and volunteers very seriously, with a robust safeguarding policy and process in place. As part of this ICN are committed to developing a safe culture ensuring that all steps are taken to recruit staff and volunteers who are safe to work with our service users and staff, including requiring relevant DBS checks to be taken for roles working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Fundraising and Engagement Trainee 

Two Year Contract

Up to £22,000 per annum, plus cost of a CoIF or CIM qualification+ benefits (including 25 days annual leave and pension)

Leatherhead (flexible working options available)

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed.

About the role:

This Best Companies Top 100 mid-sized company and Top 20 charity is looking to appoint a highly driven and engaged individual who will be given the support and professional autonomy to start or build their career in fundraising.

You will have the opportunity to join an ambitious organisation and work alongside experienced professionals within a highly supportive team. We are a learning organisation and if successfully appointed, we will fund and support you with gaining the Institute of Fundraising Certificate, which is a fantastic opportunity. The Certificate helps fundraisers become more confident and understand how to make a genuine difference.

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising and Engagement you will support the Fundraising and Engagement team on a range of activities and projects to gain a breadth of experience of all fundraising, communication and marketing disciplines, and gain a rounded view of charitable fundraising and the role fundraising plays in charities.

This role will particularly suit an individual who is just starting out on their fundraising career or has been an intern or volunteer in a fundraising department, and/or someone who enjoys building relationships, thinking on your feet, is proactive, organised, enjoys being challenged and are motivated to try new things and contribute ideas.

What we’re looking for:

• Friendly, enthusiastic and socially-focused – you quickly connect with others and build effective working relationships. You are naturally warm with a sincere appreciation for people and how they are each uniquely motivated, enjoy working with others
• A motivating, empathetic and persuasive communicator – you will enjoy preparing and presenting high-quality presentations
• You thrive working in a busy environment on multiple priorities simultaneously – results-oriented and a fast learner, you respond quickly to pressure and a changing environment.
• Confident use of MSOffice and some experience of using a database – you have strong attention to detail, are comfortable working with data, and produce high quality accurate work.

Applications will be particularly welcome from those who have experience of building relationships, or interned/volunteered in a fundraising department.

What we offer:

We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees. Please visit our website for details

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a covering letter highlighting why your application should be considered above others to us via the link.

Interviews will take place at our Head Office in Leatherhead with the dates to be confirmed.

We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

As a CQC registered organisation, it is an expectation that all Rainbow Trust employees are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (unless medically exempt).

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation. Registered Charity No: 1070532

Head of Fundraising

Salary Scale: Grade PO5/6/7 £50,568 - £58,692, inclusive of London Weighting

Location: Copthall House, Sutton, SM1 1DA

Hours: Full-time 36 hrs per week, hybrid office/home working, standard working pattern is 8.45am – 4.30pm M-Th and 8.45am – 4.15pm F, with 30mins lunch break each day.

OHC&AT is a family of specialist education providers for over 1800 pupils and students from nursery to further education across 14 academies and 9 college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.

Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs including autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health; profound and multiple disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We're looking for a passionate individual to join Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust as our Head of Fundraising. This is a new senior strategic position within Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust (OHC&AT), with overarching responsibility for all Fundraising across the organisation. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Head of Fundraising will be a self-starter, who is target driven and proactive. We are seeking a hands-on, dynamic, and engaging person to take on this role. An outstanding communicator, who will build relationships across our schools and college to fully understand what the funding needs are. A fundraising all-rounder who will be able to identify which route of fundraising could be the most fruitful and have the know-how and ability to pursue these opportunities.

The post-holder is starting with a raft of opportunity. The College and Schools lend themselves to many corporate partnerships with their vocational courses for students ranging from, Catering and Hospitality, to Farming, Hair and Beauty and Retail. There are opportunities for companies to volunteer, mentor, sponsor awards and visit – all the ingredients necessary to attract and engage local companies. In addition, the items and activities that need funding, from sensory play areas and additional therapists to monthly night clubs for young adults with special needs, open up funding opportunities from across the board – individual donors, companies and trusts and foundations.

The Head of Fundraising will manage and support the Trusts and Foundations Manager and be able to expand the portfolio of Trust supporters through experience and knowledge and by supporting and guiding this post holder, who already has much success. Our Head of Fundraising will have excellent emotional intelligence and be able to represent OHC&AT at external meetings in a confident, compelling and informed way.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

How to Apply:

To apply for this role, you will  be directed to a ‘Login’ page on our E-Teach portal, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 9am Monday 14th July 2025

Interviews: 22nd and 23rd July in person interviews at Copthall House, SM1 1DA

We encourage you to apply before the closing date as we reserve the right to arrange interviews and close this advert before the closing date if we receive applications from exceptional candidates.

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.

We are seeking a compassionate, visionary, and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead Mermaids through the next stage of its evolution, dedicated to improving the lives of gender-diverse children and young people, and those who are important to them. As CEO, you will be responsible for driving the charity’s mission, shaping its strategic direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, affirming support services. You will act as a visible and credible advocate for trans and 
gender-diverse youth, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and influence public policy and sector practice. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee a small committed team, ensure robust financial management with the Chief Operating Officer, and lead fundraising efforts to secure a sustainable future. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven leader who brings both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived 
experience. 
Service Delivery:
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all service delivery areas, including support line services, group work,  advocacy, external communications, and policy.
• Ensure services are high quality, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the special people in their lives.
• Lead the continuous improvement and development of service delivery models, ensuring impact, effectiveness, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
• Champion a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and young person-centred practice throughout all service delivery. 
• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, with oversight of on-call, safeguarding training, and ensuring appropriate escalation mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy and policy activities, ensuring the charity’s voice is informed by lived 
experience and is impactful at local and national levels.
• Act as a visible and hands-on leader for frontline teams, providing support, supervision, and inspiration to staff and 
volunteers.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and feedback to ensure services are meeting objectives and delivering positive change 
for beneficiaries.

Governance:
• In partnership with the board of trustees, set and articulate our vision, mission and strategy, and keep this under continual 
review.
• Lead the development and implementation of Mermaid’s strategic plan, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Liaise with the board of trustees to ensure the charity’s governance, structure, policies and procedures are appropriate 
and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing change as necessary. This includes supporting board 
development.
• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to support strong governance and informed decision-making.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on organisational performance, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and legislation, including the Charity Commission and the Fundraising 

Finance & Fundraising:
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees, ensure Mermaids has robust, deliverable fundraising 
and finance strategies in place, and subsequent action plans are embedded throughout the organisation to support their 
delivery.
• In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure Mermaids has robust finance, HR, IT, data privacy and governance processes and procedures are embedded.

People and Culture:
• Line manage senior staff including the COO and service delivery managers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive internal culture that values lived experience and wellbeing.
• Continue work to embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation, as well as a focus on accessibility.
• Work to define and drive trans-centred leadership across the organisation, including ensuring that the organisation is a trans-positive, supportive employer.

External Engagement and Advocacy:
• Represent Mermaids publicly, including acting as the key spokesperson and strategic policy stakeholder, ensuring 
organisational awareness of the external landscape and the changing needs of trans children, young people and their 
families, and advocating for these needs to be met.
• Lead communications strategy, and lead press engagement by responding to media inquiries, interviews, press conferences and media events.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, including with funders, supporters, community partners, and policy influencers.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the significant others in their lives at a national level.
 

BACKGROUND

Ashiana is a ‘by and for’ women's led BME VAWG service with 30 years’ experience in delivering a holistic range of specialist services to South Asian, Turkish and Middle Eastern women affected by VAWG.

OUR SERVICES

Ashiana runs three refuges with a total of 29 bedspaces; specifically for women aged 16-35 fleeing forced marriage. This multi award winning project is the only service of its kind in the UK and is highly innovative in terms of addressing an area of significant need not met in other refuge provision. Within these refuges we designate a number of bedspaces for women with no recourse to public funds. We offer an advice and support service to women and girls who are experiencing VAWG, enabling them to make informed decisions and exit violent relationships. We provide a legal service supporting women with no recourse to public funds to help resolve their immigration status.

Counselling is offered for women and girls affected by VAWG. The counselling service works from an integrative stance, with the focus of providing a holistic service whereby we also work alongside other services and provide specialist domestic violence group work. The emphasis of therapeutic work with our clients is from a trauma informed model.

We also deliver an education programme for young people in secondary schools in East London aimed at preventing domestic violence and enabling young people experiencing domestic violence to access appropriate services. The prevention service includes delivering a whole school approach in schools to young people as well as group work to women and girls across North East London boroughs as well as community engagement activities and delivery. We deliver a range of awareness raising workshops for young people in the community and training on domestic violence for professionals in the voluntary and statutory sector.

PRIMARY TASK

The post is instrumental in overseeing the delivery of a comprehensive package of services and care for women in our refuges. To provide a safe environment and a service that is appropriate to the needs of young BME women particularly those from South Asian, Turkish and Middle Eastern communities and to support ex-clients following resettlement.

The post holder will have a caseload of clients and be responsible for providing advice, advocacy, casework and support to women and girls, advocating on behalf of these women and making others aware of their particular needs. The post-holder is required to demonstrate sensitivity and an awareness of the culture and needs of  minoritised communities in all aspects of their duties and responsibilities.

Please see the attached the full job description

Closing Date: midday 21 July

Reports to: Chief Executive

Hours of work: 0.8 FTE (30hrs per week) (flexible for the right candidate)

Holidays: Uncapped annual leave, plus two week-long shutdowns

Main work address: Hybrid - a mix of remote working and time at our Abingdon office. The role involves regular travel across Oxfordshire to meet funders, partners, and community supporters, and occasional evening or weekend work for events and networking.

Closing date: midday 21 July

Interviews: w/c 28 July or w/c 4 August

About Quest for Learning
Quest for Learning is an education charity on a mission to close the gap for primary school children in Oxfordshire who are falling behind - often due to complex and compounding disadvantage. Many of the children we support are growing up in poverty, with limited access to books, low parental literacy, and challenging home environments. Some face health inequalities, live in areas affected by crime, or have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum seekers.

We work closely with schools to provide targeted, high-impact literacy and numeracy programmes that give these children the chance to catch up, thrive, and believe in their potential. On average, our small-group tutoring helps pupils make 13 months of progress in just 10 hours - building not only essential skills, but also confidence, motivation, and a renewed sense of possibility.

The impact extends well beyond the classroom. By supporting children early, we help prevent the need for more complex and costly interventions later in life, from mental health support to exclusion and social care. Our work contributes to stronger, fairer communities by giving every child the foundation they need to participate fully in society. In doing so, we are advancing social sustainability and helping to meet global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Good Health and Wellbeing.

Role Purpose

This is a hands-on and outward-facing role for a confident, capable fundraiser ready to lead Quest for Learning’s income generation efforts. As our sole dedicated fundraiser, you’ll take ownership of securing income across a broad mix of streams - including trusts and foundations, community fundraising, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.

You’ll be out and about representing the charity, building relationships with local businesses, community groups, and supporters, and bringing our mission to life with energy and clarity. You'll need to be a proactive self-starter who enjoys meeting people, thrives in a varied role, and is motivated by delivering results that improve life chances for disadvantaged children.

This is a busy and varied role which often involves working on multiple fundraising activities at once. A typical day could include working on an application to a new funder, designing a supporter newsletter, gathering information for an end of grant report, and researching new prospects.

This role would suit someone with experience of securing funding, managing funder relationships, and developing new opportunities - all with a focus on practical delivery. You’ll work closely with the CEO, leadership and programme teams, and our board of trustees to help grow a diverse and sustainable income base.

Key Responsibilities

Trusts and foundations

• Research and identify prospective funders, building a robust pipeline
• Write and submit compelling, tailored funding applications
• Deliver timely, high-quality reports with evidence of impact
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear, proactive stewardship
• Monitor success rates and financial information and adapt strategy to improve performance

Community fundraising

• Initiate and grow partnerships with local community groups (e.g. WIs, Rotary clubs, schools, churches)
• Support or coordinate local fundraising events and campaigns (e.g. fun runs, quizzes, coffee mornings)
• Attend community events to represent the charity and engage new supporters
• Equip and support individuals and groups to fundraise on our behalf

Corporate partnerships and other earned income

• Build relationships with local and regional businesses to secure sponsorship, gifts-in-kind or Charity of the Year support
• Develop creative, mutually beneficial opportunities to engage corporate partners
• Work with the CEO and board to identify and cultivate prospects
• Explore other potential income streams including education consultancy or training offers

Individual Giving and supporter engagement

• Support the development of campaigns to encourage donations from individuals
• Help create a compelling case for support across our communications
• Identify opportunities to increase visibility and supporter base (e.g. speaking engagements, community fairs)
• Ensure Quest for Learning is regularly engaging with our supporters
• Champion the use of storytelling and pupil outcomes to inspire giving

Marketing and communications (fundraising-focused)

• Develop fundraising messaging and materials with the CEO and team
• Lead on all communications relating to fundraising and supporter engagement
• Ensure consistent branding and tone across all fundraising-related comms
• Share our impact with passion and clarity to motivate supporters

Planning and systems

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our Beacon CRM
• Track income performance and contribute to budgeting and forecasting
• Create and deliver realistic workplans to manage multiple deadlines
• Liaise with programme staff to gather data and stories for funders
• Report on income and fundraising activities to CEO and trustees

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in fundraising, with a track record of securing income across multiple streams
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain our mission clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences
• Excellent bid writing and reporting skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Confidence in networking, public speaking, and relationship-building
• Proactive, self-motivated, and happy to work independently
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Values-led, personable and enthusiastic - able to represent the charity with warmth and professionalism

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or education setting
• Knowledge of the Oxfordshire funding landscape or local networks
• Experience with community fundraising, challenge events, or individual giving
• Skills in Canva, Mailchimp or similar content creation tools
• Familiarity with Beacon or similar fundraising CRMs
• Understanding of primary education and the barriers disadvantaged children face
• Experience producing fundraising workplans or reports for trustees

Why work with us?

Quest for Learning is a friendly, values-led education charity with a big mission and a supportive culture. We’re committed to flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth, and we believe in helping our team thrive while doing meaningful work.

We offer:

• Unlimited annual leave (minimum 28 days pro rata, plus bank holidays), with full charity shutdowns in August and at Christmas
• Flexible hybrid working with autonomy over your schedule
• A culture of trust, kindness, and high standards
• Opportunities to test ideas, develop skills and shape a growing organisation